Husbands: Duty of, to Wives: To Regard Them As Themselves
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The role of a husband within the Christian framework is deeply rooted in the teachings of the Bible, which emphasizes the importance of love, respect, and unity within the marital relationship. One of the fundamental duties of a husband is to regard his wife as he regards himself, reflecting the profound unity and mutual respect that marriage is intended to embody.

Biblical Foundation

The scriptural basis for this duty is found in Ephesians 5:28-29 , which states: "In the same way, husbands ought to love their wives as their own bodies. He who loves his wife loves himself. Indeed, no one ever hated his own body, but he nourishes and cherishes it, just as Christ does the church." This passage underscores the principle that a husband should care for his wife with the same attention and devotion that he would give to his own well-being.

Unity and Oneness

The concept of regarding one's wife as oneself is further reinforced by the creation narrative in Genesis, where it is stated, "For this reason a man will leave his father and mother and be united to his wife, and they will become one flesh" (Genesis 2:24). This "one flesh" union signifies a profound spiritual and physical bond, where the husband and wife are no longer two separate entities but are joined together in a singular, unified relationship.

Love and Sacrifice

The duty of a husband to regard his wife as himself is also a call to sacrificial love, mirroring the love Christ has for the church. Ephesians 5:25 instructs, "Husbands, love your wives, just as Christ loved the church and gave Himself up for her." This sacrificial love involves putting the needs and well-being of the wife on par with, or even above, one's own desires and comforts.

Respect and Honor

1 Peter 3:7 further elaborates on the husband's duty, stating, "Husbands, in the same way, treat your wives with consideration as a delicate vessel, and with honor as fellow heirs of the gracious gift of life, so that your prayers will not be hindered." This verse highlights the importance of treating one's wife with respect and honor, recognizing her as an equal partner in the grace of life.

Practical Implications

In practical terms, regarding one's wife as oneself means actively listening to her, valuing her opinions, and making decisions that reflect mutual interests and respect. It involves being attentive to her emotional and physical needs, providing support, and fostering an environment where she feels cherished and valued.

Conclusion

The duty of a husband to regard his wife as himself is a profound biblical mandate that calls for love, unity, and mutual respect. By adhering to this principle, husbands fulfill their God-given role within the marriage, creating a harmonious and loving partnership that reflects the divine relationship between Christ and the church.
Torrey's Topical Textbook
Genesis 2:23
And Adam said, This is now bone of my bones, and flesh of my flesh: she shall be called Woman, because she was taken out of Man.
Torrey's Topical Textbook

Matthew 19:5
And said, For this cause shall a man leave father and mother, and shall join to his wife: and they two shall be one flesh?
Torrey's Topical Textbook

Library

Third Sunday after Easter
... your sons, and give your daughters to husbands, that they ... cultivate farms, to make
gardens, to take wives and rear ... Such is their duty so long as they are here ...
/.../luther/epistle sermons vol ii/third sunday after easter.htm

Letter xv. Social and Relative Duties.
... she reverence her husband." "Likewise ye wives be in subjection to your own husbands."
There can ... The fifth commandment teaches the duty of subordination to ...
/.../letter xv social and relative.htm

Christian Baptism.
... over all the domestic relations, and make better husbands, better wives, better
parents ... because of its inherent worth, not because of a duty and privilege ...
/.../philips/the christian home/chapter xi christian baptism.htm

Of Civil Government.
... Husbands are bound by mutual duties to their wives, and parents to their children.
Should husbands and parents neglect their duty; should the latter ...
/.../the institutes of the christian religion/chapter 20 of civil government.htm

On Friendship with the World
... The nearest relations are husbands and wives. ... You cannot part with them while they
are young; it being your duty to "train them up," with all care, "in the ...
/.../wesley/sermons on several occasions/sermon 80 on friendship with.htm

Mothers, Daughters, and Wives in Israel
... are accordingly admonished to encourage their husbands in all ... met it were, as a
religious duty, expected to ... Wives such as Priscilla, mothers such as that of ...
/.../edersheim/sketches of jewish social life/chapter 9 mothers daughters and.htm

The Case of Reason Impartially Considered
... various works wherein they are employed; to discharge their duty, either in ... duties; "
the duties of parents and children, of husbands and wives, and (to ...
/.../wesley/sermons on several occasions/sermon 70 the case of.htm

Of the Agreement of the Evangelists Matthew and Luke in the ...
... [1778] And in doing this the husbands did not commit adultery, in that they obeyed
their wives in that matter which had regard to conjugal duty, according to ...
/.../sermons on selected lessons of the new testament/sermon i of the agreement.htm

The Christian Home
... life, and in the bringing up of children the bond which needs to be strengthened,
and the duty which needs ... Paul says, "Husbands love your wives, even as ...
/.../sell/studies in the life of the christian/study x the christian home.htm

On Matrimony
... Again, if husbands and wives could separate for this or that ... "Bring up their children."
This is their most important duty, and parents receive grace to ...
/.../kinkead/baltimore catechism no 4/lesson 26 on matrimony.htm

Resources
What does it mean that husbands are to love their wives? | GotQuestions.org

What are the roles of the husband and wife in a family? | GotQuestions.org

Does a wife have to submit to her husband? | GotQuestions.org

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Subtopics

Husbands

Husbands Love

Husbands Role

Husbands: Bad: Ahasuerus

Husbands: Bad: Solomon

Husbands: Duties of, not to Interfere With Their Duties to Christ

Husbands: Duty of, to Wives: Not to Leave Them, Though Unbelieving

Husbands: Duty of, to Wives: To be Faithful to Them

Husbands: Duty of, to Wives: To Comfort Them

Husbands: Duty of, to Wives: To Consult With Them

Husbands: Duty of, to Wives: To Dwell With Them for Life

Husbands: Duty of, to Wives: To Love Them

Husbands: Duty of, to Wives: To Regard Them As Themselves

Husbands: Duty of, to Wives: To Respect Them

Husbands: Good: Elkanah

Husbands: Good: Isaac

Husbands: Have Authority Over Their Wives

Husbands: should Have But One Wife

Unsaved Husbands

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Brother-in-law (5 Occurrences)

Fulfill (80 Occurrences)

Brother's (46 Occurrences)

Marry (48 Occurrences)

Duty (90 Occurrences)

Kin (18 Occurrences)

Nabal (18 Occurrences)

Refuseth (22 Occurrences)

Refuses (21 Occurrences)

Refusing (21 Occurrences)

Deceased (8 Occurrences)

Perpetuate (2 Occurrences)

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Brother (402 Occurrences)

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Perform (155 Occurrences)

Sarai (13 Occurrences)

Sarah (38 Occurrences)

Dies (71 Occurrences)

Establish (133 Occurrences)

Widow (71 Occurrences)

Raise (175 Occurrences)

Delight (213 Occurrences)

Husband's (19 Occurrences)

Open (586 Occurrences)

Herself (121 Occurrences)

Abroad (120 Occurrences)

Family (438 Occurrences)

Willing (152 Occurrences)

Divorce (18 Occurrences)

Vowed (34 Occurrences)

Valour (66 Occurrences)

Zeruiah (25 Occurrences)

Na'omi (21 Occurrences)

Obligation (17 Occurrences)

Onan (6 Occurrences)

Obligates (4 Occurrences)

Levirate

Wife (437 Occurrences)

Rebekah (31 Occurrences)

Ribbons (1 Occurrence)

Elimelech (6 Occurrences)

Elim'elech (6 Occurrences)

Disalloweth (2 Occurrences)

Doubts (15 Occurrences)

Michal (18 Occurrences)

Marriage (74 Occurrences)

Marries (20 Occurrences)

Propitious (12 Occurrences)

Prohibition (1 Occurrence)

Pregnant (33 Occurrences)

Beloved (117 Occurrences)

Bloody (19 Occurrences)

Bo'az (24 Occurrences)

Affinity (4 Occurrences)

Accordingly (34 Occurrences)

Accounts (14 Occurrences)

Aretas (1 Occurrence)

Acquaintance (16 Occurrences)

Abigail (18 Occurrences)

Stigmatized (1 Occurrence)

Sister-in-law (1 Occurrence)

Adultery (49 Occurrences)

Instantly (39 Occurrences)

Naomi (25 Occurrences)

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Responsible (242 Occurrences)

Produce (140 Occurrences)

Strange (234 Occurrences)

Taste (46 Occurrences)

Bond (32 Occurrences)

During (182 Occurrences)

Fact (98 Occurrences)

Hush (7 Occurrences)

Pledge (55 Occurrences)

Gate (248 Occurrences)

Doubt (49 Occurrences)

Vow (49 Occurrences)

Stranger (152 Occurrences)

Husbands: Duty of, to Wives: To Love Them
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